Regenerating Camden's Agar Grove Estate

Hawkins\Brown, Mae and Grant Associates appointed to major London housing project

13 AUGUST 2013, BATH & LONDON, UK

Summary

Hawkins\Brown, Mae, and Grant Associates have been appointed by London Borough of Camden to develop proposals in collaboration with residents for the potential redevelopment of the Agar Grove Estate, a major housing regeneration project for London with an estimated construction value of £55 million.

Hawkins\Brown, Mae, and Grant Associates have been appointed by London Borough of Camden to develop proposals in collaboration with residents for the potential redevelopment of the Agar Grove Estate, a major housing regeneration project for London with an estimated construction value of £55 million.

The project is part of the Council’s Community Investment Programme and aims to be an exemplar for the borough, with high sustainability standards and a ‘fabric-first’ approach to increase energy performance.

Located North East of Camden Town on a site adjacent to two railway lines, the original estate dates from 1966 and was built in a Modernist style. It was built as social housing and comprises 249 homes arranged in a series of low-rise blocks clustered around an eighteen-storey tower (Lulworth) served by its own shop and café.

Through a rigorous process of consultation with the estate’s residents throughout 2012 and 2013, the current proposal being developed includes the demolition of 112 homes and the provision of around 360 new homes, bringing the total number of homes to around 500. Lulworth residents are being consulted on the future of their block, which could be refurbished or demolished but, in either case, the existing 137 flats will be replaced. The mixed tenure regeneration scheme will be funded through a combination of market and shared ownership sales and grant funding.

The proposals are still under consultation though, if approved, all existing tenants will have the opportunity to be re-housed on the regenerated estate and a careful phasing plan has been developed to ensure most residents only have to move once from their existing flat to their new home.

The scheme is based on the following objectives:

1. Growing the Grove: Extending a series of connected green spaces from Agar Grove 2. Stitching in: Connecting the streets and buildings into their context; 3. Giving meaning to Lulworth: Refurbishing Lulworth or building a new tower, with improved sustainability and identity 4. A safe family neighbourhood: Planning streets with continuous well-defined blocks and active frontages 5. Building better homes: Creating high quality homes with good space standards and environmental performance.

A range of unit types has been introduced including family terrace housing and maisonettes with gardens, as well as lateral flats with balconies.

Camden have also appointed a multi-disciplinary team led by EC Harris, including services engineer Max Fordham and structural engineer Peter Brett Associates to work alongside Hawkins\Brown, Mae and Grant Associates.

Quotes

"The project will provide the residents exemplar housing with an extended network of traffic calmed streets and green garden spaces which will bring play, sensory delight and contact with nature into the heart of the estate."
Peter Chmiel, director, Grant Associates

"Camden is showing real commitment to sustainability - both environmentally
and socially. The client is keen to build on ‘fabric first’ principles to exceed
legislation and tackle fuel poverty. Camden are also committed to keeping the existing community on site, which we will be doing with a phased, single decant - residents will be able to watch their new homes being built - and then move in."
Seth Rutt, Partner, Hawkins\Brown

"Camden have a commitment to delivering high quality design and we are delighted to be part of the team for this significant regeneration project."
Alex Ely, Partner, Mae

Spokespeople

About Grant Associates

Grant Associates is an international landscape architecture consultancy inspired by the creative possibilities of sustainable landscapes and driven by the desire to connect people and nature. Our work fuses nature and technology in imaginative ways to create cutting-edge designs guided by a concern for the environment and a desire to enhance people’s quality of life.

Grant Associates has experience in all scales and types of ecological and landscape development including strategic landscape planning, master planning, urban design and regeneration and landscapes for parks, housing, education, sport, recreation, visitor attractions and commerce.